Water conservation efforts in Woodland have prevented the city's groundwater level from dropping even further.

"The community's conservation efforts have helped the situation from being worse," said Dawn Calciano, water conservation coordinator for Public Works. "During April-June this year, Woodland's average water use was 18 percent less than the average April-June use over the past three years."

She noted the level has dropped by "a record 60 feet" since April.

"The June 2014 level is -69 feet (below sea level), the lowest June level ever recorded," Calciano said. "The 30-year historic average groundwater level is -34 feet, the level during the 1977 drought was -48 feet, and the level during the pre-2014 historic low in 2012 was -59 feet."

The city relies entirely on groundwater for its water supply and monitors wells to determine availability. As water levels drop, some wells have become unusable due to the quantity of dissolved minerals.

The city has 19 water wells, but only 16 are operational, according to Principal Utility Civil Engineer Tim Busch. "Wells 17, 13 and 10 are not operational at this time," he said. "We are currently testing well 13 and it should be operational by next week." He noted that wells 17 and 10 were down due to high nitrate levels and are not needed.

Calciano urged Woodlanders to "continue to conserve and avoid using water, as much as possible, during our peak water use hours of 5 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. when the demand on our water supply is at its maximum."

Calciano's information comes less than a week before a presentation on "Groundwater: Past, Present and Future" by Carl Hauge.

Hauge is the retired chief hydrogeologist with the state Department of Water Resources. He will be speaking at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at the Hotel Woodland, 436 Main St. A reception will follow in the courtyard, sponsored by Luhdorff and Scalmanini Consulting Engineers. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Danyella at dherrera@norcalwater.org.

Hauge's presentation is co-sponsored by the Northern California Water Association, the Water Resources Association of Yolo County and the Yolo County Farm Bureau.

The WRA and the Farm Bureau are collaborating on a "Year of Groundwater" initiative, in which local public agencies, private landowners and agricultural interests are working together to promote and advance local groundwater sustainability.

While usage is down in Woodland, Californians in general have increased their water consumption.

Last week, a state survey showed that water use in May rose by 1 percent this year, compared with a 2011-2013 May average. Gov. Jerry Brown in January asked Californians to slash their water use by 20 percent.

The state Water Resources Control Board has imposed its first-ever statewide rules to punish water wasters, which includes new restrictions on outdoor water use starting Aug. 1 that could result in fines of up to $500 per violation.

The new rules ban washing cars without a nozzle on a hose; watering driveways or sidewalks; using potable water in ornamental fountains; and over-watering landscaping so that water runs off into roads and adjacent properties. Recycled water is exempt.

Under the new statewide regulations, any agency that does not impose mandatory conservation measures could be subject to state fines of up to $10,000 a day.